Waist band construction



March 21, 1933- R. c. CASTLEN 1,902,116

WAIST BAND CONSTRUCTION Filed May 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor 7-?oberz 6. Casilen March 21, 1933- R. c. CASTLEN WAIST BAND CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 5, 1952 Inventor 7P0,6e1-i C. Caqzlen Ntik NNNNN Patented Mar. 21, 1933 UNITED STATES ROBERT C. GASTLEN, OF WEST PALM BEA FLORIDA WAIST BAND COLISTBUGTION Application filed May 5, 1932. Serialv No. 609,517.

This invention relates to an improved Waist band construction and it has more specific reference to an arrangement which is especially suited for incorporation in an undergzlairment, trousers, skirts, petticoats and the li c.

It is now common practice in the manufacture of undergarments and similar apparel to utilize adjustable waist-bands and the most common type is the one which simply incorporates one or more elastic sections to provide for inherent elastic properties necessary in promoting a neat and comfortable fit around the Waist of the wearer.

The present improvement is predicated upon an undergarment having a hem forming an enclosure for a slidable strap conducive to correct and comforting fit by its ability to constrict or draw the waistband to the requisite proportions.

More specifically, the preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes a slidable drawing strap or belt contained in the hem, having one end fixedly secured in place and the other end exposed through an outlet slot in the hem to permit the latter end to be adjustably buttoned or otherwise fastened in place.

In the accompanying illustrative drawmgs:

Figure 1 is a front elevation showing the construction developed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail cross section on the line 44 of'Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the size adjusting strap or belt.

Figure 6 is a horizontal fragmentary sectional view similar to the frontal portion of Figure 3 showing a slight rearrangement of the strap end.

By way of introduction I would like to point out that in order to illustrate the construction and the features and advantages I have adopted an undergarment. I wish to set forth the fact, however, that this waistband construction may be used in connection with any sort of a garment whetherfeminine or" masculine. V 7

Moreover, in the following description I refer to the use of buttons and" buttonholesand stitches, etc, andit is to be understood that any of these may be fastening devices: on retaining means of equivalent-types.

- Referring now to the drawings-by distinguishin'greference" characters, it will be ob served that the undergarment is generally designated by the numeral 6 and is generally of the bifurcated type. w

In accordance with the invention, the waistband which is designated by the numeral '7" is in the form of a tubular hem or casing and has its frontal portions 8 and 9 designated to: come together in overlapping relation: to=forrn the conventional fly, these portions being buttoned or otherwise secured together as is usual as indicated at 10.

The size adjusting strap or belt is distinguished by the numeral 11 and comprises a fabric strip of appropriate material and dimensions, thesame being formed intermediate its ends with elongated slits 12. One end portion 13 of the strap is stitched per manently to: the waistband as indicated at I4:- The samestitching serves: to hold the supplemental button orequivalent fastener 15 in place.

The opposite free end portion of. the strap is passed entirely around the hem and brought out through an exposure slot 16 and formedwith buttonhol'es 17 to engage over the buttons 15, as illustrated in Figure-3. The diametrically opposite numeral 18 in Figure 3 designates stitching which pass through the aforesaid slits 12, thus maintaining the strap properly in place and at the same time allowing it to slide longitudinally within thehem. Insteadof using stitches it is understood that metal clips or wire fasteners may be used as the connecting means between the strap and the folds of the hem. Thus the strap is fastenedin place, yet allowed to slide for circumferential take up or size-adjusting purposes.

The gist of the invention is in the provision of the garment having a relatively wide hem forming the waistband proper, together TENT OFFICE I on, FLORIDA, AssIsnomro, PALM BEACH with a size take-up strap located in the hem, fastened securely at one end to a corresponding end of the hem, and having the opposite free end extending out through the slot in the remaining end of the hem to permit it to be adjustably attached to a supplementary button or similar fastener provided for the purose. Thus the strap serves somewhat in the manner of a drawing string to constric't the size of the waistband to the requisite proportions.

In practice, if desired, the strap may include an elastic portion to facilitate the circumferential take-up action.

Attention is now invited a; Figure '6,"

which, as before indicated, duplicates-the frontal portion of the waistband construction illustrated in detailed section in Figure 3. The only difference is that in Figure 3 the free end of the take-up-strap is placed between theoverlapping portions ofthe fly and. one of the buttons 15 is reversed to be on the inner side of the overlapping ply which method of fastening is desirable under some circumstances. 1

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawings will enable a clear understanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more, lengthy description of the invention is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of. the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes comingwithin the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

A garment of the class described havin a frontal fastener equipped fly, a waistban said waistband being in the form of a tubular hem, the outer fold of the hem at one end being formed with an outlet slot near said fly, the adjacent end of the hem having its outer fold providedwith fasteners, a waistband constricting strap contained -'in said hem and rigidly secured at one end andvhav ing its opposite end left free and extending out through said slot and constructed to engage over thecomplemental fasteners, said strap being formed intermediate its-ends with longitudinal slits, and fastening means passing through the inner and outer folds of the hem and said slits to permit the requisite sliding of the strap for size adjusting purposes.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

' ROBERT C. GASTLEN. 

